Ankle-joint for artificial limbs.



M. SPRING.

ANKLI: JOINT FOR ARTIFICIAL LIMBS. I

APPLICATION PILBD NOV. 20, 1907.

Patented Dec. 22, 190s.

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WITNESSES f-j [4Q/f4 ATTORNEY.

MENZO SPRING, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

ANKLE-JOINT FORARTIFICIAL LIMBS.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2,2, 1908.

Application led November 20, 1907. Serial No. 402,942.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, MENzo SPRING, a citizen of the United States, residing at'Gakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and usefull 'Improvements in Ankle-Joints for Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved cordless ankle joint for artificial legs, stronger and more durable than those nowv in use which have no lateral motion, one which is simple of adjustment, easily kept in order, and with a free backward and forward movement easily adjustedto suit the wearer.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a broken perspective view of an artificial foot and part of an ankle member equipped with my improved joint; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same; Fig. 3 is a transverse section.`

Referring to the drawing,'1 indicates the wooden foot, and 2 the ankle member. In a vertical holeI 3 in said foot is contained a metallic bar 4; in theform of a loop, its lower end being secured in place by means of a transverse pin 5. Through its upper end passes the cylindrical transverse bearing 6, which rests in a suitable socket formed in the upper surface of the foot. In said bearing fits snugly a tubular rock shaft 7. The projecting ends of said rock shaft 7 rock in suitable sockets 8 formed inthe artificial foot, `and are closed by screws 9. To said y rock shaft are secured the lower ends of a metal bar 1() in the lform of a staple, the ends of which are driven into and through'the tubular rockshaft, one end on each side of the bearing 6 and close to the ends of said bearing. Said staple extends upwards into varecess 1l formed inthe lower part of the ankle member, and through the bend or loo portion of said staple, is passed, in the longitudinal direction of the foot, a stay bolt 12, which is conical in form and is received in a somewhat larger longitudinal conical hole 13 in the ankle member. Upon the forward end of said stay bolt is screwed a nut, 14 and by tightening up said nut said stay bolt can be drawn forward so that a part thereof of greater diameter passes through the bend of the Staple, thus tightening the union between the lower end of the ankle member and the foot. The lower end of said ankle member rests upon rubber cushions 15, contained which -adjustably support said cushions at any desired height in their sockets, and thus by raising and lowering said screws make the By this means also the ankle can be forced forward or backward to conform for use 3 with high or low heeled shoes.

ably made in a single piece, this is not absolutely essential, as this metallic faste might be made in two pieces, the essentia condition being that the lower ends are passed through the hollow shaft at -points suflicientl y farapart.

The great advantage of this joint is its strength and durability, and the fact that it permits of no sidewise movement of the foot relatively to the ankle, and does away with ankle cords,making a strong and durable cordless ankle leg.

I'claimz- 1. In an ankle joint, the combination, with a foot and an ankle, member, of a shaft` arranged transversely in a socket in said foot,

vice passing transversely through the lower end of said loop and securing it to said foot, a metallic fastening'having lower ends which firmly securing the upper portion of said fastening to the ankle member, substantially as described.

2. In Van ankle joint, the combination, with a foot and an ankle member, of a tube arranged transversely in a socket in said foot, a metal loop passing around said tube, a device passingtransversely through the lower end of said loop and securing it to said foot, a rock shaft insaid tube, a metallic fastening having lower ends which are connected to said shaft in close proximity to the ends of ysaid tube, and means for firmly securing the member, substantially as described. Y

3. In an ankle joint, the combination, with a foot and an ankle member, of a tube arranged transversely in a socket in said foot, y a rock shaft in said tube, a metallic fasten" l connected at its inner end with one of sai elements, the shaft andtubes, theouter end of said fastening being in the form of a loop, and a bolt 12 passin through said loopshaped end, substantiel ly as described.

,4; In an ankle joint, the combination,

tension 'tight or loose as may be desired.

While the han 10 shown herein is prefere are connected to said shaft and means for.

in cylindrical sockets 16 in the lower ends of which are screwed vthe supporting screws 17 a metal loop passing around said shaft, a deupper portion of said fastening to the ankle with a foot and an ankle member, of a tube arranged transversely in a socket in said foot, a rock shaft in said tube, a metallic fastening connected at its inner end with one of said elements, the shaft and tubes, the outer end of said fastening being in the form of a loop, a conical stay bolt passing through said loopshaped end, and a nut on said bolt for moving f it lon itudinally, substantially as4 described.

5. n an ankle joint, thel combination, with afoot and ankle member, of an outer tube arranged transversely in a socket in said foot, a metal bar looped around said outer, tube and firmly securing it to said socket, an inner tube in said outer tube, a metallic fas.

rtening having lower ends which are connected to said inner tube in closel proximity to the ends of said inner tube, and means for irmlysecuring the upper portion of said fas" tening to the ankle member, the foot havin sockets respectively before and behind the witnesses.

` MENZO` SPRING.

Witnesses: FRANCIS M. WRIGHT,

D. B. RICHARDS. 

